Who Can Benefit from a Home Eye Test? A Guide to Domiciliary Eye CareRegular eye examinations are an important part of maintaining good eye health and supporting independence at every stage of life. However, travelling to a high-street optician is not always easy for everyone.For older adults, people with mobility difficulties, individuals living with dementia, or those who are housebound or carebound, accessing traditional eye-care services can sometimes be challenging.This is where domiciliary eye care can make a meaningful difference.A home eye test brings professional eye care to the patient, whether that is their own home, a care home, supported living environment or another suitable setting.What Is a Home Eye Test?A home eye test, also known as a domiciliary eye examination, allows an optometrist to provide an eye examination outside a traditional high-street practice.The aim is to make eye care more accessible to people who may find it difficult or unsuitable to attend a conventional optician.Depending on the individual's circumstances, a domiciliary eye-care visit may involve assessing vision, discussing any concerns about sight, carrying out appropriate eye examinations and providing advice about ongoing eye care.The appointment can take place in a familiar environment, which can be particularly helpful for people who may feel anxious or uncomfortable travelling to unfamiliar settings.Who Can Benefit from a Home Eye Test?A home eye test can be particularly beneficial for people who have difficulty accessing traditional optical services.1. Older AdultsAs we get older, changes in vision can occur gradually. Some people may notice that reading becomes more difficult, while others may experience difficulty seeing in low light, recognising faces or navigating their surroundings.For older adults who have difficulty travelling independently, a home eye test can provide a more accessible way to receive professional eye care.Regular eye examinations can also help identify changes in vision that may otherwise go unnoticed.2. People with Mobility DifficultiesFor someone with limited mobility, arranging transport, leaving home and travelling to an optician can be a significant challenge.A domiciliary eye examination brings the service to the individual rather than requiring them to travel.This can make accessing eye care easier and more comfortable while reducing some of the practical challenges associated with attending a high-street practice.3. People Who Are Housebound or CareboundSome individuals may rarely or never leave their homes because of their circumstances or care needs.Being unable to travel should not necessarily mean that regular eye care is overlooked.Home-based eye care can help people who are housebound or carebound access appropriate optical support in an environment that is familiar to them.4. People Living with DementiaPeople living with dementia may experience difficulties when travelling to unfamiliar environments.A busy high-street optician or unfamiliar clinical setting may be confusing or distressing for some individuals.Having an eye examination in a familiar environment can help create a calmer and more comfortable experience.For family members and carers, a domiciliary appointment can also make it easier to communicate relevant information about the person's daily visual needs and any changes they may have noticed.5. People Living in Care HomesResidents of care homes may have different levels of mobility and independence.Coordinating eye care within a care-home setting can make accessing optical services more convenient for residents, families and care teams.Domiciliary eye care can also work alongside the care environment, allowing appropriate arrangements to be made with staff and carers.6. People Living in Supported Living EnvironmentsIndividuals living in supported accommodation may also benefit from accessible eye-care services.Where travelling to a traditional optical practice is difficult, domiciliary care can provide an alternative approach that takes the individual's circumstances into consideration.Why Is Regular Eye Care Important?Changes in vision can sometimes develop gradually, meaning that a person may adapt to poorer vision without realising how much their sight has changed.Reduced vision can affect everyday activities such as:

• Reading
• Watching television
• Using a phone or tablet
• Recognising people
• Moving around safely
• Managing medication
• Preparing food
• Participating in hobbies and activities
• Maintaining independence

For older adults in particular, good vision can play an important role in maintaining confidence and independence.Regular eye examinations provide an opportunity for an optometrist to assess vision and identify concerns that may require further investigation or management.What Happens During a Home Eye Test?The exact appointment will depend on the patient's individual circumstances and the type of assessment required.A domiciliary eye-care visit may include:

• Discussion of the patient's visual concerns
• Assessment of vision
• Appropriate eye examinations
• Review of current glasses or visual needs
• Discussion with family members or carers where appropriate
• Advice regarding ongoing eye care
• Recommendations for spectacles or other optical support where required

The patient remains at the centre of the appointment, with the examination adapted as appropriate to their individual needs and environment.How Can Family Members and Carers Help?Family members, carers and care-home staff can play an important role in supporting someone's eye care.They may notice changes that the individual has not mentioned, such as:

• Holding reading material closer than usual
• Struggling to recognise familiar people
• Bumping into furniture
• Having difficulty finding objects
• Avoiding activities they previously enjoyed
• Becoming less confident when walking
• Frequently removing or not using their glasses

These changes do not necessarily mean that the person has an eye condition, but they can be useful reasons to arrange an eye examination.Sharing observations with the optometrist can also help provide a better understanding of the person's everyday visual needs.Domiciliary Eye Care at Almond EyecareAt Almond Eyecare, we understand that accessing eye care is not always straightforward.Our domiciliary eye-care approach is designed to bring professional eye care closer to people who may have difficulty visiting a traditional optical practice.We support individuals in environments such as their own homes, care homes and supported living settings, helping make eye care more accessible and convenient.We also understand the importance of working respectfully with patients, families, carers and care teams.For individuals living with dementia, mobility difficulties or other circumstances that make travelling challenging, receiving care in a familiar environment can be particularly valuable.Looking After Eye Health Shouldn't Depend on Being Able to TravelGood eye care should be accessible to people with different needs and circumstances.Whether someone is an older adult, living with dementia, experiencing mobility difficulties, housebound, carebound or living in a care setting, a home eye test may provide a practical way to access professional eye care.If you are concerned about someone's vision, or if travelling to a traditional optician is becoming difficult, speaking with a domiciliary eye-care provider may be a useful next step.Frequently Asked QuestionsWho is eligible for a home eye test?Eligibility and access to domiciliary eye care can depend on an individual's circumstances and the applicable NHS or private care arrangements. If you are unsure whether a home eye test is appropriate, speak with your optician or domiciliary eye-care provider.Can someone with dementia have an eye test at home?Yes. Domiciliary eye examinations can be particularly useful for people living with dementia who may find unfamiliar environments challenging. The appointment can take place in a familiar setting, subject to the appropriate clinical arrangements.Can care-home residents receive eye tests at the care home?Domiciliary eye-care providers can arrange visits to care-home settings where appropriate. Care homes can contact the provider to discuss arrangements for residents.What should I do if I notice a change in someone's vision?If you notice a change in someone's vision, arrange an appropriate eye examination or seek advice from an optometrist. If there is a sudden or significant change in vision, seek urgent medical advice.Arrange Domiciliary Eye Care with Almond EyecareIf you or someone you care for finds it difficult to attend a traditional optical practice, Almond Eyecare can help you explore suitable domiciliary eye-care options.
Contact Almond Eyecare at 0800 099 6252 or visit our website almondeyecare.com/ to find out more about home eye tests and our domiciliary eye-care services.
Because better access to eye care can help people stay connected to the world around them — from recognising familiar faces to enjoying the everyday activities that matter to them.